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Civil War Soldier's Diaries Donated To Vicksburg National Military Park

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Published Date

September 25, 2014

(Top) Superintendent Madell presents Mr. Davidson with a photograph of the Iowa State Memorial in appreciation of his generous donation to the park. (Bottom) The donated diaries. NPS photos.

Historians who are charged with the task of understanding or explaining historical events are always on the lookout for original source documents, and it's hard to top the value of handwritten accounts from participants in the action. Vicksburg National Military Park received the gift of just such a prize last week: diaries of a Civil War soldier who served at Vicksburg.

John Hughes, Jr. served with Company G, 28th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, during the Siege of Vicksburg. He recorded his experiences in seven diaries beginning on April 16, 1861, and continuing through 1864, when he stopped recording daily entries. The diaries include eyewitness accounts of the attempts by forces under Major General Ulysses S. Grant to capture the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg in 1863.

In 1906, Hughes was appointed as a member of the governor’s commission that traveled to Vicksburg and Chattanooga, Tennessee, to dedicate the Iowa Monuments on those battlefields. 

Bruce Davidson, great-grandson of John Hughes, visited the park a year ago with the thought of possibly donating the diaries. After consulting with other family members, the decision was made to donate the diaries to Vicksburg National Military Park. Mr. Davidson said he was glad to find a home for the diaries where they will be cared for in perpetuity.

The donation was recognized in a ceremony held on September 17th at the Iowa Memorial at Vicksburg. Superintendent R. Michael Madell accepted the diaries on behalf of the park.

Included in the diaries are Hughes accounts of the events that transpired at Vicksburg during on July 4, 1863. Hughes wrote: “10:00 A.M. White flags are displayed! The rebel regiments are marched out in front of their works where they stack arms and colors and return. The renowned Gibraltar of the Confederacy is ours!”

A park spokesperson noted, "The diaries will play an invaluable role in enlightening the staff as well as future researchers on the events that occurred over 150 years ago through the eyes of a siege participant."

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Comments

Submitted by BobMac on September 27, 2014 - 1:19pm.

Sounds very interesting. Special thanks to the Hughes family for donating such a valuable piece of family history to share with others. 


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